Browsing by Author "Cook, Gillian"

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    Gender constraints to increased agricultural production faced by rural women in KwaZulu
    (1990) Murphy, Carol (Carol Anne), 1961-; Cook, Gillian; Fincham, R J
    It is well known that women are constrained by their gender role, which is imposed on them by the gender relations they experience. This role allocates them the direct responsibility for maintenance of the household and subjects them to patriarchal relations of male domination and female subordination. There is little understanding, however, of how gender-specific constraints operate. This study records the gender-specific constraints affecting the lives of black, rural women in a homeland in South Africa (KwaZulu). An analysis is given of the extent to which these gender-specific constraints affect the agricultural productivity of these women. An integrated methodology, combining elements of qualitative observations, key-informant interviews and quantitative surveys was used to identify gender-based constraints to agricultural production experienced by rural women in the study area (the Nhlangwini Ward, Umzumbe District, southern KwaZulu). This information revealed that the lives of women in the Nhlangwini Ward are severely affected by gender-specific constraints that arise out of: their involvement in various activities that constitute their multiple work role (survival tasks, household tasks and different resources (land, income generation); their access to capital and training) and their perception of their gender role and the patriarchal relations they experience. Women in the ward adapt to these constraints by: using child labour and hired labour to assist them in conducting survival tasks and household tasks; allocating some shopping (for clothes) to male household members who have greater access to urban centres; membership of community gardens to gain access to arable land and agricultural expertise; hiring private arable land for farming and adopting poultry farming as a favoured agricultural activity. Recommendations are made for types of projects and policy changes that could work to overcome these constraints and the broader subordination of women in rural areas. As gender and rural development is a pioneering research field in South Africa, more research of this type is urgently required because at present the development process takes little cognisance of gender issues.
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    The kombi taxi : an alternative mode of transport
    (1984) Kokernot, Diana; Cook, Gillian
    In recent years, the South African transportation system has witnessed the rise of intermediate forms of transport, in particular the kombi taxi. Though referred to as a taxi, the kombi taxi differs from the typical sedan taxi. As a taxi, the kombi is a minibus vehicle, typically of Volkswagen, Toyota or Datsun make. In South Africa, the kombi taxi is legally allowed a maximum passenger capacity of eight, whereas the sedan taxi is generally licenced to carry a maximum of five passengers. In terms of patronage, the sedan taxi is more often used by businessmen and holidaymakers, as well as commuting youngsters and the elderly on a sporadic basis. Like the sedan taxi, the kombi taxi is privately owned and operated. However, the kombi taxi is used on a more regular basis and frequently conveys passengers along a set route, operating more like a bus service than a taxi service. Fares charged by kombi taxi drivers are set according to route as opposed to the metered rate charged by the sedan taxi operator. The kombi taxi is used by the non-white community in particular and has become a feature of commuter demand satisfaction. Interest in the South African kombi taxi was sparked as a result of the 1983 Commission of Inquiry into Bus Passenger Transport (Welgemoed, 1983). The report, among other things, considered the effect of taxis on the bus industry and covered future transportation policy. One of the recommendations of the Welgemoed Commission was that the kombi taxi be phased out over a four-year period in order to protect existing and future bus services in the Republic. Given the spatial patterning of South African cities and the important role of intermediate forms of transportation in filling an existing mobility/demand gap, it became apparent that the issue of the kombi taxi required further I analysis in order that its role and function as part of the South African transportation system could be better understood. Thus, the Cape Town Metropolitan Transportation Area was chosen for specific study.